Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
 The
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve was officially declared Canada's 40th
National Park in May of 2003. The marine park protects the southern Gulf
Islands archipelago which is part of the Strait of Georgia Lowlands. The
park is a collection of eco systems consisting of islands, underwater
reefs and numerous islets.
 The
Gulf Islands National Park is a popular destination for many wilderness
adventures. Some of the activities enjoyed in the park include scuba diving,
boating, sailing, swimming, wilderness camping, ocean kayaking, wildlife
watching and birdwatching.
 The
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is 35 square kilometres including a
25 metre intertidal zone! There are a total of 15 islands. The park includes
4 geographical zones - The Outer Islands, Prevost Island, The Penders
and the Inner Islands. Many of the islands are part of popular long haul
kayak paddle routes.
 The
Outer islands region includes Saturna Island, Tumbo island, Cabbage Island, Mayne
Island, Anniversary Island, Samual Island and the Belle Chain Islets.
The Prevost Island region includes such highlights as James Bay, Selby
Cove, Portlock Point, Channel Islands and Nearby Islets.
 The
Penders region includes North and South Pender
Islands. The highlights include Roesland Lake, Loretta's Wood, Mount
Norman, Greenburn Lake and Blunden Islet. The Inner Islands region includes
Russel, Island, Portland Island, Brackman Island, Isle-de-Lis, Sidney
Spit and D'Arcy island.
Long ago the First Nations people lived among the scattered islands. There are areas on the islands that were once used for
burial sites and for places of worship. Please do not approach or disturb
the First Nations sacred sites.
Kayaking and boating the Gulf Islands National Park is
one of the most popular ways of touring the park. The many channels and
inlets open up views of rocky cliffs, caves and the rediscovery of deserted
islands.
Wildlife is abundant in the area. Wildlife like seals, Sea Lions,
porpoises, whales and many different varieties of marine birds like the
Blue Heron and predator birds like the Bald
Eagle and the Red Tail Hawk.
Throughout the Gulf Islands National Park are marked areas
for wilderness camping and some day-use areas with pit toilets, hiking
and walking trails. Pack in what you pack out. Please abide by the "
no trace camping " rules.
How to get to Gulf Islands National Park
The Gulf Islands National Park main islands of Galiano, Mayne and Pender
Islands are accessed by a BC Ferry from the Swartz Bay terminal on Vancouver
Island and the Tsawwassen terminal on the mainland in Vancouver. Most
of the beautiful areas of the park are accessed only via a kayak, sailboat
or motor boat including the most popular areas like the Belle Chain, Sidney
Spit, Java, Georgeson, Portland, Rum, D’Arcy, Brackman, Prevost,
Cabbage, Tumbo, Pine Islet, Channel Islets, Russell, Dock, Imrie, Red
Islets, Hawkins, Blunden, Samuel Islet and Isabella Islet.
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